Health Technician (Dermatology)

Veterans Health Administration • Miami, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Technician (Dermatology) delivers safe patient care and administrative support to the Dermatology specialty service at the Miami, Florida VA. Under the guidance of the Chief, the technician supports physicians and physician assistants and helps the practice operate efficiently and cost-effectively. The position provides patient care and communication as directed by a provider or clinical supervisor and serves as a liaison between providers and patients, following applicable national patient safety goals.

The technician coordinates and performs procedures associated with the dermatology phototherapy unit, including screening patients, explaining treatment and safety information, documenting care, monitoring equipment, and reporting abnormal findings. In the absence of the RN, the technician prepares the minor surgery room and ensures supplies and sterile equipment are available. The role is onsite and scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Technician experience applying knowledge, methods, and techniques relevant to dermatology health professional work.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5, including relevant knowledge and skills such as skin anatomy, routine skin and wound care, medical terminology related to skin disorders and wound care, basic health screening, clinical customer service, the Fitzpatrick scale, sterile technique, and basic setup for dermatologic procedures; or qualifying graduate education or a combination of education and experience as described in the announcement.
• Successful completion of at least 9 semester hours of progressively higher-level graduate education in a directly related field may be used as described in the qualifications section; a transcript is required when relying on education.
• Complete the required application steps, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Selected applicants must undergo a background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• The work does not inherently include physical requirements that cannot otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of collecting vital signs, minor surgery room setup, and postoperative wound-care follow-up.
• One year of outpatient clinic experience.
• Experience administering UVA phototherapy.
• One year of experience in Dermatology as a Health Technician.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform duties and procedures associated with operating the dermatology phototherapy unit.
• Receive and interpret physician phototherapy orders and screen patients for eligibility, reviewing medical history, complaints, medications, skin type, allergies, contraindications, social and emotional factors, and educational level.
• Assess patients’ learning needs and ability to learn, and explain diagnoses, UVA or UVB treatment, schedules, expected outcomes, potential side effects, safety measures, and treatment options in understandable terms.
• Prepare the minor surgery room and ensure supplies and sterile equipment are available when the RN is absent.
• Keep safety policies and procedures up to date and consistent with applicable CAP, FDA, JCAHO, VA, and DOT regulations; report deficiencies and correct unsafe conditions.
• Check phototherapy units routinely for proper functioning and compare internal dosimeters with external meters.
• Use appropriate templates to document treatments, education, and abnormal findings, and notify the physician immediately of abnormal findings.
• Review prerequisite laboratory and ophthalmology results against ranges determined by the Dermatology Physician, ensure yearly follow-up testing, and report abnormal findings to the physician or RN.
• Perform a minimal erythema dose (MED) test as ordered.
• Determine the appropriate starting UVL dose according to orders, protocols, or guidelines; gather patient information, develop a treatment protocol with physician assistance, and establish realistic goals with the patient.
• Provide patient care and communication as directed by the provider or clinical supervisor and serve as a liaison between provider and patient.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and eligible family members; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• VA may grant eligible newly appointed federal employees credit for related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is required before appointment and is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed